Taka Nawashiro: Lifescape
Based in New York City, guitarist Taka Nawashiro brings his creative approach to his new album Lifescape. Born in Saitama, Japan, he is one of the official artists for Spanish guitar company for Soulezza Guitars which includes world renowned artists such as Lionel Loueke and John Stowell. At the heart of his music is a post-bop virtuosity that saw him awarded the John Coltrane award from New York’s School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2020.
Although the album is reminiscent of Pat Metheny, Promise of 60 owes more to George Benson, with vocals that seem to welcome the idea of promise of life at different stages. The beautiful Actual Proof features a gentle guitar and sax melodic duet and once the album reaches its title track, Lifescape provides clear evidence of Nawashiro’s dexterity and jazz chops - he knows his way around post-bop licks and chord changes and portrays a maturity that will only develop further.
After his first album as band leader - What We Do Now - Nawashiro has released Lifescape to great acclaim. Recorded in New York with two different bands, and then overdubbed in Tokyo with Tomoaki Baba, Kurena Ishikawa and others, Lifescape tells the artist’s life story, while encouraging us all to tell our own and listen to the stories of others.
Although the album is reminiscent of Pat Metheny, Promise of 60 owes more to George Benson, with vocals that seem to welcome the idea of promise of life at different stages. The beautiful Actual Proof features a gentle guitar and sax melodic duet and once the album reaches its title track, Lifescape provides clear evidence of Nawashiro’s dexterity and jazz chops - he knows his way around post-bop licks and chord changes and portrays a maturity that will only develop further.
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